The Kelvin rating is the color temperature of visible light. The higher the Kelvin the more blue the light. For example 3500K or less would produce a bulb with a red/yellow apperance, bulbs between 3500-4100 have a yellow appearance, and bulbs with a 5000K would be considered pure white light(full spectrum) with the lamp becoming more blue as the color temp. increases. Almost any color temp light would grow plants but I try to get the full range of the spectrum when using lights. So I would suggest supplementing with another color temp bulb. It's also important to choose what looks good to you since we are just talking about visible light which is what you see.
please school me in Kelvins for led's
I am trying to fully understand the Kelvin rating. I know that most people shoot for ~6500k. I realize that a kelvin of about 2800 is to low. What will a kelvin rating of 4500-5500 bring to the table. Will I have to supplement my lights with a higher kelvin ratings to get a better effect for a planted tank? The reason I am asking this is that I can get led floodlights in the 4500-5500k rating
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Thanks for the help
Degrees Kelvin is what the light looks like to our eyes.
It says nothing about what actual wavelengths are produced by that bulb to make it look like that.
Plants use specific wavelengths, and if you can supply a bigger dose of those specific ones the plants will do the best. That is what PAR is all about: Measuring the amount of like the way the plants see it.
Kelvin is probably a good way to select lights for the home or office, and was a not-too-bad way to look at aquarium lighting before PAR meters were available. I know that LED is fairly new, and not all the bulbs have been tested for PAR, but do some research, and if you can find a chart about which color wavelengths each bulb produces or a PAR test result that will get you closer to a blend of lights that will be the best for plants, and still will make the tank look good.
It says nothing about what actual wavelengths are produced by that bulb to make it look like that.
Plants use specific wavelengths, and if you can supply a bigger dose of those specific ones the plants will do the best. That is what PAR is all about: Measuring the amount of like the way the plants see it.
Kelvin is probably a good way to select lights for the home or office, and was a not-too-bad way to look at aquarium lighting before PAR meters were available. I know that LED is fairly new, and not all the bulbs have been tested for PAR, but do some research, and if you can find a chart about which color wavelengths each bulb produces or a PAR test result that will get you closer to a blend of lights that will be the best for plants, and still will make the tank look good.
1 - 4 of 4 Posts
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